Kirkland started as a dream of a British businessman who fell in love with the area and wanted to build a steel town. The dream did not work out, but the town survived by milling wool and building ships instead. Lake Washington Shipyard on Carillon Point built 25 warships during World War II for the U.S. Navy. Kirkland has so much to offer to visitors: excellent outdoor concerts, a popular wine festival, great hotels, high quality art galleries, whale-watching tours, and a number of superb cafes and restaurants on the romantic waterfront with views of the Seattle skyline across the Pudget Sound.
Marina Park
Come enjoy 700 feet of Lake Washington’s shoreline in the middle of beautiful downtown. Marina Park’s 3.5 acres provide the perfect spot to spend the afternoon experiencing the sites and culture of Kirkland. Visitors can fish, bike, or take a stroll and browse the sculptures and interpretive markers that make up the various points of interest. Gas grills are allowed and a gazebo can be rented for special gatherings. The park hosts a variety of special events throughout the year and offers easy access to waterfront dining. Seventy-seven boat slips are available on a first-come first-served basis, and boat launch passes can be purchased.
25 Lakeshore Plaza Dr, Kirkland, WA 98033, 425-587-3300
Juanita Beach Park
Juanita Beach Park is where families can have the best beach experience in the Kirkland area. The park offers fun outdoor amenities and activities for visitors of all ages. Renovated in 2011, its enhanced beaches and walking paths can now be enjoyed with better parking, restrooms, and picnic areas. Horseshoe pits, volleyball areas, tennis courts, ball fields, play grounds, an open-air amphitheater, and public docks all make for a fun day at the beach. Restrooms with changing areas and concession stands along with barbeque grills and group rental facilities are available in open season. The park is closed in the winter.
9703 NE Juanita Dr, Kirkland, WA 98034, 425-587-3300
Juanita Bay Park
Juanita Bay Park is a beautiful 110-acre nature preserve in the middle of Kirkland’s urban area. Steal away from the bustle of the city for a peaceful walk or jog along the park’s 3,000 feet of trails and boardwalks. Relax on the lawn with a picnic lunch and take in the views of the scenic wetlands and marshes, which abound with birds, turtles, beavers, and other wildlife and fauna. Guided tours are offered the first Sunday of every month at 1 PM. Park services are closed in winter, but visitors can enjoy the benches, green spaces, and views year-round.
2201 Market St, Kirkland, WA 98033, 425-576-8805
Cross Kirkland Corridor Trail
The Cross Kirkland Corridor Trail is part of Kirkland’s revitalization and a reflection of the city’s commitment to establishing a healthy and eco-friendly community. A 5.75-mile section of the Eastside Rail Corridor will soon connect neighborhoods, schools, and businesses. Residents and visitors can now enjoy the 16-foot wide gravel interim trail that runs from 108th Ave NE to Slater Ave. Future plans are for the corridor to provide multi-modal transportation opportunities so that residents can lead a healthier lifestyle. Today it offers a playground and children’s zip line, a total-body resistance training area, a sand volleyball court, and a basketball court.
123 Fifth Avenue Kirkland, WA 98033, 425-587-3011
132nd Square Park
132nd Square Park, located between 1-405 and Kirkland, is a great place between to stretch your legs and enjoy the outdoors. With its unique address at 132nd Avenue and 132nd Street, the park has manicured baseball and soccer fields, along with a playground, plenty of park benches, and a paved walking path. The 9.75-acre park offers lots of green space to play and picnic, and ample parking and restrooms are available. A popular attraction in the park is the reflexology walking path. Roll your feet along the uneven stones to experience this ancient healing art designed to improve circulation and relieve stress.
13159 132nd Ave NE, Kirkland, WA 98034
Argosy Cruises - Lake Washington Cruise
Argosy Cruises - Lake Washington Cruise is the must-do attraction in the Puget Sound area. Their public and private cruises provide a rare opportunity to experience breath-taking scenery and Northwest tribal culture in one of the country’s most beautiful settings. One-hour sightseeing tours of Seattle Harbor are available Jan-March, and 2 1/2 -hour cruises in Ballard Locks are operated Jan-May. Scenic cruises on Lake Union celebrating Seattle’s history and industry open in March. Lake Washington cruises featuring homes of the rich and famous are available in May. Beginning April 16th, take the popular Tillicum Village Excursion complete with a fish bake and tribal show.
Doris Cooper Houghton Beach Park
Located between Carillon Point and downtown Kirkland, Doris Cooper Houghton Beach Parkis the ideal place to take in some sunshine while enjoying scenic views of Lake Washington and Seattle. Easily accessible from downtown Kirkland, the park offers a swimming beach, volleyball courts, a kayak launching area, and a playground. The park is open year-round with restrooms available April – October, and a lifeguard is on duty in the summer season. The shallow swimming area for children along with the sunbathing and diving docks make the park a popular attraction on warm, sunny days. Large groups are encouraged to contact staff before visiting.
5811 Lake Washington Boulevard, Kirkland, WA, 425-587-3360
Chainline Brewing Company
Chainline Brewing Company is Kirkland’s newest spot to sample the locally made Northwest Ales and Lagers. Embracing the Eastside’s vibrant outdoor lifestyle, the brewery is located on the bicycle corridor and features an outdoor trailside deck with beautiful scenery. You can sample their drafts in local restaurants, or check their website for what’s on tap and visit the brewery to enjoy its fun, relaxing atmosphere. A food truck offers daily specials, and Trivia takes place Tuesday evenings starting at 7PM. The brewery provides a family outing where children and dogs are welcome.
500 Uptown Court, Suite 210, Kirkland, WA 98033, 425-822-3455
Cafe Juanita
Spacious and airy with almost Zen-like and understated décor, Cafe Juanita is the result of Chef Holly Smith’s love for Northern Italian cuisine and wine and her modern, healthy interpretation of old North Italian classics. The relatively small menu is full of tantalizing surprises such as octopus with smoked bone marrow, chickpeas, and salsa verde. Ingredients are local and seasonal or imported from Northern Italy, which in some cases is the best option. Many dishes are gluten-free, and they make their gluten-free pastas and breads in-house. Produce is organic whenever possible, and wine pairings are offered, with an excellent selection of Northern Italian and Northwestern wines. In the skilled and inspired hands of the chef Holly Smith, Café Juanita proves that eating healthy can be a superb gourmet experience.
9702 NE 120th Pl, Kirkland, WA 98034, 425-823-1505
Lady Yum
You can spend your lunch break inhaling a burger with fries and a coke, or you can spend a decadent half hour sipping champagne and munching on macaroons at Lady Yum . This French bistro-style and adorable little shop on Lake Street is located in a 1920s-era building and furnished with funky turquoise cabinetry and fancy antique chandeliers. But, the stars of the show are the macaroons, delectable little bites of sweetness so typically French and so difficult to make right. And here they are: rows and rows of them, each one just perfect, in flavors from the expected Chocolate Mint and Toasted Coconut to the whimsical Maple Bacon and Salted Caramel. Besides champagne, they also offer hip Shrubs – drinkable vinegars in fun flavors like Pear Mandarin and Blueberry Basil. If you bring kids, and you should, they will get flavored water in tiny wine glasses. Teach them style while they’re young.
111 Lake St, Kirkland, WA 98033, 425-285-9628
Cactus Restaurant
Re-opening in May after a remodeling, Cactus Restaurant is a cheerful, colorful Mexican and Southwestern outpost in downtown Kirkland with hand-painted walls and pleasant lighting. Leather banquettes invite groups to linger over premier tequilas and superb house cocktails while nibbling on delicious tapas, bocaditos, or antojitos. Sharing with friends means you can taste more of the delights the chef has to offer, but pay attention to the menu insert. It features a menu that the chef uses to experiment with dishes and treat his guests to some real treasures. If you are lucky and it is available (because the menu is constantly changing), try Braised Lamb Tacos with Tomatillo-mint salsa and Cotija cheese served on house-made corn tortillas with cumin black beans and Spanish rice.
Park Ln, Kirkland, WA 98033, 425-893-9799
Kirkland Arts Center
Bringing the joy and fulfillment of the arts to Kirkland, the Kirkland Arts Center endeavors to make art instruction and education available to the greater community. The center was founded in 1962 by local artists and in addition to providing a wide range of arts instruction, the center also preserves the historic Peter Kirk Building. The center holds regular exhibitions to showcase students and local artists and to inspire a deeper knowledge and understanding of art in all its myriad forms. Instruction is available in many genres including ceramics, drawing, painting and printmaking, and classes are suitable for all ages, from “2 – 102”.
Kirkland Arts Center, 620 Market Street, Kirkland, WA 98033, 425 822 7161
Mediterranean Kichen
Mediterranean Kitchen is a small, unassuming Lebanese-Mediterranean restaurant that serves wonderfully spiced and intensely flavored dishes from the region, often inspired by old family recipes from Lebanon. They serve regional classics, tried and tested dishes even those not familiar with Mediterranean cuisine would recognize, such as falafel or moussaka. Falafel is ground chickpeas mixed with onions, garlic, parsley and spices, and moussaka is an eggplant casserole made with cauliflower, onions, tomatoes and garbanzo beans, served with feta cheese, garlic sauce, and fresh basil. The portions are huge, but the dishes are healthy and light. All dishes come with soup, garlic bread, and heavy Turkish coffee. Don’t skip dessert, as their baklawa is fabulous.
11412 NE 124th St, Kirkland, WA 98034, 425-823-8101
Peter Kirk Park
Named for Peter Kirk, the founder of Kirkland, the Peter Kirk Park is a much-loved community meeting place, conveniently located right next door to downtown Kirkland. Here the park offers a range of outdoor recreational facilities which include a floodlit baseball field, tennis courts, basket ball courts and a seasonal outdoor swimming pool. There is also a skate park and a playground for younger visitors. Other facilities at the park include the Peter Kirk Community Center (for all kinds of community meetings and get-togethers) and the Kirkland Teen Union. There are restrooms and the entire park has free Wi-Fi access.
Peter Kirk Park, 202 3rd Street, Kirkland, WA 98033, 425 587 3000
The Grape Choice
The Grape Choice is a wine bar and shop that features impressive international vintages as well as local selections at any price, and the owners can help you find the perfect pairing or suggest a personal favorite for sipping. They host Wednesday night tastings and a variety of other special events on their calendar. A monthly selection is available for tasting by the glass or bottle, and if beer is your preference, you’ll find an international selection of that as well. Penny’s Wine Cave is a special tasting room available for groups with up to 30 people.
9 Lakeshore Plaza, Kirkland, WA 98033, 425-827-7551
Rubicon Float Studio
Rubicon Float Studio offers guests the opportunity to float their cares away and emerge feeling stronger, more resilient and ready to face the world. In case you are new to floating (or Floatation Therapy), the practice involves spending 90 minutes blissfully floating in warm salt water, in a dark and soundless environment. The benefits of floating are many and much desired – you can achieve a deep state of mind and body relaxation, that allows complete rest and rejuvenate. The experience mimics a zero-gravity environment in a dark and soundless pod, enabling you to achieve a powerful sense of calm which can help anxiety, pain, injury recovery and general well-being.
Rubicon Float Studio, 9715 N.E. 119th Way, Kirkland, WA 98034, 866 356 2888
Parklane Gallery
Art lovers should not miss the opportunity to visit the Parklane Gallery in Kirkland. The gallery showcases the artistic talents of a large contingent of talented local artists who work across a number of different genres and mediums. Most of the work on display is available for sale and you are sure to find a perfect little piece of art to take home with you. You will find works in acrylic, oils, glass art, water color, pen and ink and mixed media. In addition, there are beautiful examples of hand-make jewelry, cut paper and resin works as well as sculptures and ceramics.
Parklane Gallery, 130 Park Lane, Kirkland, WA 98033, 425 827 1462
Kirkland Performance Center (KPC)
The Kirkland Performance Center (KPC) is located on Kirkland Ave, in the heart of downtown Kirkland. Here it provides a very popular entertainment hub where many local people come to share their special talents with the wider community. The center is on a mission to inspire budding artists of all ages, regardless of their backgrounds, and it provides a stage for many different performing arts including music, theatre, dance, film and more. The theatre was purpose built and provides excellent sightlines wherever you may be seated, and the acoustics are excellent. There is always something on at the KPC.
Kirkland Performance Center, 350 Kirkland Ave, Kirkland, WA 98033, 425 828 0422
Bridle Trails State Park
Lucky Seattle equestrians do not have to travel very far to find the ideal place to enjoy some horseback riding. Conveniently located between Kirkland and Redmond, the Bridle Trails State Park offers a great semi-urban getaway where you will find extensive horse trails and 4 arenas which host equestrian events and shows. The park covers around 489 acres, including 28 miles of trails suitable for horses and hikers. The park offers various educational programs and guided interpretive walks and there is a small picnic area and restrooms. However, you do need to bring your own horse – there are no horse-rental concessions onsite.
Bridle Trails State Park, 5300 116th Ave NE, Kirkland, WA 98033, 425 649 4275
O.O. Denny Park
Located right on the shore of Lake Washington, the O.O. O.O. Denny Park is a popular seasonal recreation area for locals and visitors. There are pleasant grassy areas where you can relax as you watch the activities on the lake. There is a small section of beach along the edge of the lake and you can launch kayaks and canoes and paddleboards as well as motorized boats. The park is ideal for a summer picnic and you can rent one of 2 covered picnic shelters, one of which has five tables and a BBQ. There are additional picnic tables and grills dotted around the park for first-come-first-served use. Families love the children’s playground.
O.O. Denny Park, 12032 Holmes Point Drive, Kirkland, WA 98034, 425 587 3300
